Tool for laying linoleum and other covering materials



F. A. ARAGON April 7, 1964 TOOL FOR LAYING LINOLEUM AND OTHER COVERING MATERIALS Filed June 25, 1962 Fig, 3

United States Patent 3,127,681 T0912 FUR LAYING LINGLEUM AND OTHER CGVERING MATERIALS Frank A. Aragon, 195 Grove St, Reno, Nev. Filed Shane 25, 1962, Ser. No. 204,752 3 Claims. (Cl. 33-41) This invention relates to a hand tool and more particularly to a hand tool for use in the laying of fiat floor coverings, such as linoleum and the like.

An object of this invention is the provision of a novel hand tool that eliminates the use of many independent tools.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a novel hand tool that when used will save considerable amounts of time in laying floor coverings, and also permits a better job in a shorter period of time.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a novel hand tool that is easily carried by the user and may be readily manipulated.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a novel hand tool that minimizes the use of felt and other paper for pattern purposes.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel hand tool that is inexpensive to produce, that is easy to use, that is rugged and that has a long life.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become more apparent upon reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side View of a hand tool embodying the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is an end View of the tool shown in FIG- URE 1.

FIGURE 3 is the opposite side view of the tool shown in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 4 is a top view of the tool shown in FIG- URE 1.

FIGURE 5 is a bottom view of the tool shown in FIG- URE 1.

FIGURE 6 is a sectional View taken substantially along the line 6-6 in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged fragmentary view showing details of the balancing peg.

FIGURE 8 is a top view of the balancing peg.

Referring now to the drawings, the invention is shown embodied in a hand tool for laying floor coverings, such as linoleum, plastic coverings and the like materials.

For purposes of illustration, the tool is described hereinafter as it is adapted for use in laying linoleum in a room in which the edges of the linoleum are turned upwardly all about the room, except for openings, to form a linoleum covered baseboard or cove. Under these circumstances, to prevent cracking of the linoleum, a molding having a concave surface is disposed in the corner between the floor and the wall. The linoleum is then positioned so that it fits snugly on the floor, the concave surface and the base of the wall extending up on the Wall any preselected height.

In general the tool is shaped to be readily held by the user and comprises a plurality of devices arranged for measuring and marking the floor covering in a predetermined manner so that the floor covering may be readily conformed to any regular or irregular pattern or contour in a quick and easy manner.

The tool herein comprises an elongated body 11 having a top 12, a bottom 13, an end 16 and an end 17. As shown, the top 12 and the bottom 13 are parallel and define straight edges. Preferably the width of the body is such that it may be readily grasped by the user for easy manipulation. While exact dimensions are not critical, I have found that maximum use of this tool may be had under present practices by having the top 3,127,681 Patented Apr. 7, 1964 'ice 12 and the bottom 13 spaced apart the distance of two inches. It is to be understood that any suitable rigid material, such as aluminum, plastic or the like, may be employed in the construction of the body 11.

To fit an edge of a piece of linoleum against a wall, it is the usual practice to first mark a piece of felt paper with the desired contour, obtained in general by trial and error measurements and then cut the felt along the marked line. This cut edge on the felt then becomes a templet which is used for marking the linoleum. This, of course, is time consuming and utilizes considerable felt paper. With this tool the user can mark the linoleum directly or use a templet as in the past as he sees fit. To this end the body 11 is provided with a needle or scribing member 18, and the end 16 of the body is shaped so that when the tool is moved relative to the wall, the end 16 engages the Wall and causes: the needle 18 to move along in the same path as the end 16. Thus, as the end moves along a wall, the contour of the Wall is etched on the linoleum, or felt as the case may be, by the needle 18. Again, while the dimensions are not critical, for best results in laying linoleum, I have found that the needle 18 should be two inches from the tracing end 16. The needle 18 in this instance is received in a recess 19 formed in and opening onto the bottom 13. A set screw 21 retains the needle in a desired position. As shown, the end 16 has its bottom portion removed to define an inclined surface 23. Preferably, sufiicient material is removed so that the end 16 may abut against the Wall, and the needle 18 is capable of inscribing a line on a piece of floor covering when the cove molding is in place. This is advantageous not only because the size of the end 16 is reduced to permit it to more readily follow a contour, but also the tool can be used to make a marking whether the cove molding is in place or not. As shown, the surface 23 defines a forty-five degree (45) angle with a projected extension line of the bototm edge 13.

At the opposite end of the body and depending therefrom is a balancing peg 24. This peg is received in a recess 26 (see FIGURE 7) formed in and opening on the bottom 13. A set screw 27 holds the peg 24 in a desired adjusted position. The peg 24, preferably, has a rounded surface that engages the covering While the needle 18 is inscribing a mark on the covering. By rounding the peg 24, there is less friction between the parts as the tool is moved relative to the covering. The peg 24 may also be used for another purpose. I have found it desirable to locate the peg 24 at a distance from the needle 18 equal to the desired height of the linoleum cove. While not absolutely necessary, the side 29 of the peg 24 away from the needle 18 is flattened as shown so that it can be moved readily along a straight edge.

With this construction it can be seen that after the configuration line has been established on the linoleum, a straight edge can be placed along this line; and then, if the peg 24 is placed against the straight edge, the needle 18 will inscribe a new configuration line as the tool is moved along the straight edge that marks the covering so as to take into account the desired height of the cove.

Provision is made in this tool for a divider 3 1 for marking the linoleum when the latter must fit against irregular surfaces. To do this, the tool is arranged with a divider 31 that is arranged to extend beyond the body when the divider is in use so that the body forms a handle, yet may be telescoped or stored within the body when. not in use. To this end, the divider is formed by an elongated cylindrical or rod members 32 and 33.

At its outer end, the member 32 is provided with a needle point 34 retained in a recess 36 at the end of the member 32 by a set screw 37. The outer end of the member 33 is curved to define an edge 38 that will readily follow the contour of a surface or edge that is desired to be copied on the covering. Each of the members 32 and 33 are disposed in a cylindrical bore or opening 4-2 and 43 respectively formed in the end 16 of the body and leading to a central opening or cavity 44- formed in the body between the top 12, the bottom 13 and the ends 16 and 17. Preferably, the bore diameters are approximately the same size as the members 32 and 33, there being just sufficient difference to permit the members 32 and 33 to be freely retracted and telescoped between the outer position in which the needle 34 and the end 38 are spaced outwardly from the body and a retracted position in which the end 38 and the needle 34 are disposed within or are adjacent to the body 11.

A link 47 in the central cavity 4-4 is rigidly secured to the inner end of the member 32 and the inner end of the member 33 so that both members may be retracted and extended as a unit. The link 47 is of such size and shape that it fits in the cavity, yet may be readily moved back and forth in the cavity. The link 47 also serves as a medium by which pressure may be applied to the members .32 and 33 to move them between extended and retracted positions.

Means are provided for securing the divider 31 in a preselected position and to accomplish this a locking member 48 which is pivotally mounted on the link 47 as by a screw 49 or the like so that the member 48 may be received in any of a series of slots 51 formed on the side of the top 12 and in communication with the central cavity 44.

Very frequently in the laying of a floor covering, it is necessary to employ a square. Accordingly, this tool is provided with an arm 54 mounted on the body 11 in such a manner that an end of the arm may be moved relative to the body so as to co-act with the body to define a square. In this instance, the arm is formed by a piece of fiat material approximately the same length as the body. The arm is arranged to be received in a recess 56' formed at the side of the body and defined by a rib 57 along the bottom 13. The rib '57 terminates in a shoulder 58 on the end 17 of the body 11. The arm 54 is also formed with a shoulder 61 shaped to abut against the shoulder 58. By preselecting the positions of the shoulders 58 and 61, it is evident that the edge 62 of the arm 54 can be positioned at a right angle with respect to the bottom 13'. A headed screw 63 extending through a hole 64 in the body 11 and seated in a threaded socket 66 on the arm 54 secures the parts in assembled relation. -By loosening and tightening the screw 63, the arm may be moved between a position in which it is disposed in its recess to form a part of the body and a position in which the arm 54- is at right angles to the body 11. The outer or free end of the arm 54 is also inclined at a fortyfive degree (45) angle to the straight edge 62 of the arm 54.

Graduations are preferably disposed on the top 12, the bottom 13 and the arm 54. These markings may be inscribed or imprinted and may be in any desired scale. The markings as shown on the top 12 and bottom 13 are arranged so that the end 17 is the Zero of the scale.

In making an outside corner on a linoleum cove, it is necessary to remove a piece of the covering and insert a plug to complete the corner. To insure a good corner, it is necessary to have one of the corner pieces overlap the other. To this end 1 have formed a slot 68 in the end of the body shaped to receive the edge of the covering. A shoulder 71 defining one edge of the slot 68 is shorter than a shoulder 72 forming the other edge of the slot '68. When the edge of the linoleum is received in the slot 68 and the longer shoulder 72 abutting the wall corner, the short shoulder 71 is used as a straight edge to mark the cover-ing. By preselecting the amount of the difierence between the length of the shoulders 71 and 72, it can be seen that the edges of the covering forming the corner can be cut so that one overlaps the other by the thickness of a piece of linoleum.

This tool may also be used to mark the linoleum for an inside corner. To do this, the tool is placed along the scribe line on each templet adjacent to and defining a corner. Another line is made on the opposite side of the tool for each line. The new lines will intersect at a right angle. Accordingly, when the mitered end of the arm 62 is placed in proper position, a forty-five degree (45) angle line can be determined and when the linoleum is cut along this line, the material is pre-cut for an inside cove corner.

As can be seen, this single tool has many uses. It can be used for scribing any preselected contour either on the flooring directly or on a pattern. It provides a square, a forty-five degree (45) angle, dividers, straight edges and a ruler. As is evident, there is a minimum of moving parts; consequently, the tool does not require much maintenance. The top 12 or the bottom 13 edge may also be used to tap the edge of the linoleum covering to force it into fiat relation with the floor, concave molding and wall or other surface. This tool can be easily carried and does not require much space. It is rugged, will stand considerable abuse and is relatively inexpensive to produce. This tool provides a solution to nearly all problems encountered in the laying of a floor covering.

1 claim:

1. In a tool for laying linoleum and the like floor coverings the combination of an elongated body having at least one surface defining a straight edge, said body having an end having an elongated slot for receiving an edge of the floor covering, and an end defining a tracing end adopted to trace the contour of a surface, and an arm having a second straight edge, said arm being movable between positions in which the arm is in side by side relation with said body and a position in which said arm is at an angle to said body, and the second straight edge is at right angles to said first straight edge, means for pivotally mounting said arm on said body to move between said positions and to hold said arm in either position, said arm having one end with an edge at an angle to said second straight edge, a marking member mounted on said body and operatively associated with the end of the body adapted to follow the contour of a surface, means for mounting said marking member at a preselected distance from the tracing end of said body, a balancing peg spaced from said marking member to support said body when the marking member is in use, a scriber, a tracer operatively associated with said scriber, means for mounting said scriber and tracer to be movable between an extended position in which the scriber and tracer are in spaced relation to the body and the body in effect defines a handle and a retracted position in which the scriber and tracer are received within said body, and means for securing said scriber and tracer in either of said positions.

2. In a tool for laying linoleum and the like floor coverings, the combination of a body having at least one surface defining a straight edge, an end having an elongated slot for receiving the edge of the floor covering, and an end defining a tracer, an arm having a second straight edge, said straight edge surface having graduations thereon, said arm being movable between positions in which the arm is in folded relation with said body and a position in which said arm is at an angle to said body, and the second straight edge is at right angles to said first straight edge, means for pivotally mounting one end of said arm on said body and leaving the other end free to move between said positions and to hold said arm in either position, said arm having its free end formed with surfaces at forty-five degrees (45) to each other, a marking needle member mounted on said body, means for mounting said marking member at a distance from the tracer end of said body to permit the tracer end to engage the surface against which the covering will abut and the marking member to engage the covering to inscribe the contour of the surface against which the covering will abut, a support peg spaced from said marking member to support said body when the marking member is making a mark on a covering, a scriber, a tracer operatively associated with said scriber, means for mounting said scriber and tracer to be movable between an extended position in which the scriber and tracer are in spaced relation to the body and the body defines a handle for holding the scriber and tracer in a working position and in a retracted position in which the scriber and tracer are associated with said body to in effect form a part thereof and means for securing said scriber and tracer in either of said positions.

3. In a tool for laying linoleum and the like floor coverings, the combination of an elongated body having at least one surface defining a straight edge and opposed ends, one of said ends having an elongated slot for receiving the edge of the floor covering, said body having a central opening between said ends, one of said ends having spaced openings eflecting communication between said one end and said central opening, an arm having a second straight edge, said arm being movable between positions in which the arm is in side by side relation with said body and a position in which said arm is at an angle to said body, and the second straight edge is at right angles to said first straight edge, means for pivotally mounting said arm on said body to move between said position and to hold said arm in which position said arm having one end with the surface at an angle to said sec- 0nd straight edge, a marking member mounted on said body, means for mounting said marking member at a preselected distance from one end of said body, a balancing peg spaced from said marking member to support said body when the marking member is being used, a scriber having a pointed end adapted to be received in one of said openings in said end, means for mounting said scriber to be movable between an extended position in which the end of said scriber is in spaced relation to the body and in a retracted position in which the end of the scriber is adjacent said body, a tracer having an end to follow a contour and shaped to be received in the other of said openings, said tracer being movable between a position in which said tracer end is in spaced relation to said body and a position in which said tracer end is adjacent said body, and means in said central opening operatively associated with said scriber and tracer to move them as a unit and hold them in either their retracted or extended position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 207,883 McGee Sept. 10, 1878 417,231 Cole Dec. 17, 1889 2,509,876 Neiss May 30, 1950 2,656,609 Siggson Oct. 27, 1953 2,680,296 Cronberger June 8, 1954 FOREIGN PATENTS 30,008 Netherlands June 15, 1933 

1. IN A TOOL, FOR LAYING LINOLEUM AND THE LIKE FLOOR COVERINGS THE COMBINATION OF AN ELONGATED BODY HAVING AT LEAST ONE SURFACE DEFINING A STRAIGHT EDGE, SAID BODY HAVING AN END HAVING AN ELONGATED SLOT FOR RECEIVING AN EDGE OF THE FLOOR COVERING, AND AN END DEFINING A TRACING END ADOPTED TO TRACE THE CONTOUR OF A SURFACE, AND AN ARM HAVING A SECOND STRAIGHT EDGE, SAID ARM BEING MOVABLE BETWEEN POSITIONS IN WHICH THE ARM IS IN SIDE BY SIDE RELATION WITH SAID BODY AND A POSITION IN WHICH SAID ARM IS AT AN ANGLE TO SAID BODY, AND THE SECOND STRAIGHT EDGE IS AT RIGHT ANGLES TO SAID FIRST STRAIGHT EDGE, MEANS FOR PIVOTALLY MOUNTING SAID ARM ON SAID BODY TO MOVE BETWEEN SAID POSITIONS AND TO HOLD SAID ARM IN EITHER POSITION, SAID ARM HAVING ONE END WITH AN EDGE AT AN ANGLE TO SAID SECOND STRAIGHT EDGE, A MARKING MEMBER MOUNTED ON SAID BODY AND OPERATIVELY ASSOCIATED WITH THE END OF THE BODY ADAPTED TO FOLLOW THE CONTOUR OF A SURFACE, MEANS FOR MOUNTING SAID MARKING MEMBER AT A PRESELECTED DISTANCE FROM THE TRACING END OF SAID BODY, A BALANCING PEG SPACED FROM SAID MARKING MEMBER TO SUPPORT SAID BODY WHEN THE MARKING MEMBER IS IN USE, A SCRIBER, A TRACER OPERATIVELY ASSOCIATED WITH SAID SCRIBER, MEANS FOR MOUNTING SAID SCRIBER AND TRACER TO BE MOVABLE BETWEEN AN EXTENDED POSITION IN WHICH THE SCRIBER AND TRACER ARE IN SPACED RELATION TO THE BODY AND THE BODY IN EFFECT DEFINES A HANDLE AND A RETRACTED POSITION IN WHICH THE SCRIBER AND TRACER ARE RECEIVED WITHIN SAID BODY, AND MEANS FOR SECURING SAID SCRIBER AND TRACER IN EITHER OF SAID POSITIONS. 